About NanoWriMo (I'm taking part) + Some Writing Tips

Hey

I am taking part in this year's NaNoWriMo. That's National Novel Writing Month for those living under rocks and in caves. That's ok. The idea here is to write a novel of 50k words in the month of November. Today is 4th day of November, too soon to say anything whether I will complete the novel or not. I really really want to. I hope I keep wanting to complete it.

I won't share what I am writing about for the sole reason that I might jinx it, but rest assured it's all manners of kickassry that we indulge in on this blog. There is blood and exploding helicopters and some sex and more blood. I'll throw in few more exploding helicopters and some satellites too at later stages. I'm using some tips tricks and tools to get me through the writing experience. I'll share some of them here, not all, because well, there IS no all, it's just a tentative list. Anyway:

1. Plan - It's a big project, ambitious too. So, divide the novel into chapters, preferably one chapter a day. Each chapter equal to or more than 1667 words. And you're set towards 50k.

2. Setting - Fix a time for writing daily. Either early in morning or late at night. No phone calls, emails or internet in that time. If you write after proper planning you can easily churn out up to 2k words in 1 hour. That's what I did on one day when I had my work planned out. I knew what I had to write.

3. Rewards - Keep some reward for yourself once you've hit your daily word count. I ate three chocolates the first three days and drank a Mountain Dew today. Tomorrow, it will be something else.

4. Music - Music doesn't work for me, so i keep my headphones off. I do listen to some music before writing to get my blood pumping. I prefer rock, if any other genre works for you, so be it. While writing it's better to keep it silent so that you can listen to your inner voice, then again its personal preference.

5. Announce - Tell a friend that you're writing a novel or inform your online pals on twitter/facebook that you're writing. You might make some new friends in the process and you'll have the accountability factor of delivering the novel before 30 November.

Yeah, we've all read these tips now and before too, but it's always good to have a refresher. So anyway, good luck with writing. I have a good story idea bubbling in my head, i will post it in a day or two.

If you're also writing your novel this November, do share in comments what works for you and I will add it to this post. (My NaNoWriMo Page is here you can connect with me through twitter, my handle there is @69fubar)

Cheers!

N